January 2026 has been busy for the John E. Jacobs American Legion Post 68 Be the One team. The team, led by former post commander John Hacker, consists of a dozen Post 68 members and was formed in response to National Headquarters' call to action to help address an alarming increase in veteran suicides. Suicide respects no gender, age, social or economic status, or geographical boundaries. According to data from VA, more than 18-24 veterans die by suicide each day. By VA’s own admission, that number may be significantly higher if deaths from severe alcohol or drug abuse are factored in.
The Be the One suicide awareness program seeks to accomplish two primary goals: to destigmatize public discussion of veteran suicide, and to increase public awareness about the issue and available support. Post 68’s team uses a two-pronged approach in implementing Be the One, focusing first on education to make conversations about veteran suicide more open, and second on connecting individuals with critical resources to support prevention.
The local program depends on donations and grants to facilitate its efforts, distribute materials and provide training. The team developed a brief training session to promote public awareness and highlight tools available in the community. They also created and distributed a wallet-sized plastic resource card that allows users to access key services, including veteran, financial, medical, food, housing and drug rehab resources. In addition, it developed a 10-point program to help other Legion organizations start their own initiatives.
Recognizing the team’s leadership, American Legion Department of North Carolina has designated Post 68 to lead the state’s Be the One program. In 2025, Wilmington Mayor Bill Saffo honored the team, while Hacker received Leland’s Citizen of the Year award.
Over the past two years, the team provided suicide awareness training and demonstrated the resource tool to hundreds of area law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency responders and community leaders, including veterans, veteran service officers, other service organization members and church leaders. It delivered training to leadership, officials and members of the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Department; the North Brunswick Chamber of Commerce; various North Carolina Legion posts; Brunswick County service providers; and churches. The team plans to conduct awareness and training sessions with the Carolina Beach City Council and all Brunswick County Sheriff's Department deputies. Organizations, public officials and others interested in learning more about Post 68’s Be the One program, the resource card, and how they can get involved should contact John Hacker at jveteran13@gmail.com.
